Mural Arts Studio

Susan Kelk Cervantes, a 37-year veteran of the San Francisco community mural art movement, is the founder and director of the Precita Eyes Muralists in the Mission District of San Francisco. Established in 1977, Precita Eyes is one of only a handful of community mural arts centers in the United States. Cervantes is responsible for more than 200 collaborative community murals considered some of the finest in the Bay Area such as Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Mission Playground Pool, Precita Valley Community Center, the S.F.Women’s Building, 24th Street Mini Park and many others. She is dedicated to social change by enhancing the environment through the creation of murals while involving and educating the public through the community mural art process.

Elaine Chu was born and raised in San Francisco. She graduated from School of the Arts High School in 2000 and went on to study painting and art history at the Maryland Institute College of Arts. In high school she interned at Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center and fell in love with murals and the stories they told of the community that painted them. Precita Eyes opened her up to the possibilities of painting large scale. In 2004 she moved to Philadelphia and worked with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. She has since moved back to San Francisco and continues to make art and direct mural projects with Precita Eyes.

Patricia Rose received her BFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1983. She first became involved with Precita Eyes in 1980. While completing her degrees she received training in mural painting technique and the collaborative process from Susan Cervantes. Her involvement with community-oriented nonprofit arts organizations goes back to her work at The Farm, a multi-cultural multimedia arts center in San Francisco were she worked from 1978-86. She received a 1983 Artist Residency from the NEA and served as director of the Farm Art Gallery from 1984-86. In addition, Ms. Rose has served in various capacities at Precita Eyes, including store manager, membership coordinator, advisory board member, mural walk docent, and currently as mural tour coordinator.

I am a Japanese-American artist born in New Jersey. I received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, majoring in the Interdisciplinary fields of painting and textiles. Since graduation in 2006, I have committed myself to community arts education and have grown to become a Master Muralist and Education Director at the Precita Eyes Mural Center in the Mission District. Much of my post-collegiate focus has been my pursuit to develop an effective style and means to teach arts to children and young adults. I fully live life as a working artist; however the engaging and inspiring experiences in my work with youth/children and arts education is what drives my creative endurance. Please explore my comprehensive body of work at yukakoezoe.com

Cory Devereaux graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree (BFA) from Syracuse University, and received her Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) from the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato Mexico. Throughout her multifaceted career, Cory applied her expertise to the arts, retail, and, non-profit management and consulting. For eight years, she worked at the Exploratorium as the Manager of Retail Operations and Admissions. She then moved to Marilyn Burns Education Association where she directed finance and operations for summer courses and year-round workshops designed for K-8 mathematics teachers. Cory served as the Director of Administration and Development for the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG) before becoming the Executive Director of the organization in 2000. Cory has been a member of the Board of Directors for Precita Eyes Muralists since 1999. In 2004, Cory joined the staff of Precita Eyes where she now serves as Business Director. Additionally, Cory has taught Toddlers Art, directed several instant murals with both school children and adults, and now directs community mural projects.

Cynthia De Losa Mexican-Italian, third generation native San Franciscan. Daughter of Joe De Losa, retired Teamster and Connie De Losa, Interior designer. Born at Mary's Help Hospital on Clinton Park, November 5. Inspired early in life by her Grandmother Juanita Romero, who instilled in her strong values, determination and creativity.
While shopping at her corner store in Noe Valley she saw a bubble gum machine with individual "Homie"figurines, she then purchased some shadow boxes and the IDEA was born.Her style of Art showcases an event capturing the spirit of the "Homies", depicting her neighborhood andplaces where she grew up and spent time. This media known as "Diorama" is similar to the "Niche concept", popular in Mexican Folk Art. Cynthia brings this concept to life together with the "Homie" figurines and photo backgrounds.